Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah virtually inaugurated Sahakar Bhavan, the newly constructed headquarters of the Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on July 28, 2026. Built at a cost of Rs 25 crore, the building is equipped with modern technology and conforms to standards prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NABARD. The facility is expected to strengthen banking services for farmers, dairy cooperatives and primary cooperative societies across Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts.
The Cooperative Banking Structure in India
India has one of the largest cooperative banking networks in the world, with nearly 8 lakh cooperative societies and a membership base of over 29 crore people. The rural cooperative credit system follows a three-tier structure for short-term credit. At the village level, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) provide credit and inputs directly to farmers. At the district level, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) such as the Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank act as federations of PACS and channel funds from the state-level bank downward. At the apex, State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) operate at the state level and link the system to RBI and NABARD.
The Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank is a DCCB, making it the crucial middle tier of this structure. DCCBs are licensed banking entities regulated jointly by the RBI for their banking functions and by the state Registrar of Cooperative Societies for their management. NABARD, established in 1982, provides refinancing and supervisory support to these institutions.
The Ministry of Cooperation and Sahkar Se Samriddhi
The government established a separate Ministry of Cooperation on July 6, 2021, with Amit Shah as its first Union Minister. Before this, cooperation-related functions were handled by the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry was created with the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) and has since launched over 50 initiatives to transform India’s cooperative sector.
These initiatives include setting up more than 2 lakh new PACS and dairy cooperative societies, adding over 20 new business activities for PACS, digitising the audit system of cooperative institutions, and linking different cooperative institutions together. The ministry also formulated the National Cooperation Policy 2025 to expand cooperatives into new sectors such as clean energy and waste management.
Sahakar Bhavan: Key Features
The new headquarters, built on 25,000 square feet of land, offers nearly 47,000 square feet of functional space. The building has been designed keeping in view the bank’s projected requirements for the next 15 years.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction cost | Rs 25 crore |
| Land area | 25,000 sq ft |
| Built-up area | 47,000 sq ft |
| Solar power capacity | 200 kW |
| Key facilities | Training centre, farmers’ hostel, conference rooms, meeting halls, secure lockers, dining hall |
| Design standard | Conforms to RBI and NABARD norms |
The installation of a 200-kilowatt solar power plant makes Sahakar Bhavan a green building, reducing its energy costs and environmental footprint. Speaking at the event, Amit Shah noted that the bank would use this facility as an energy centre for farmers across both Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka.
The Bank’s Remarkable Performance
Amit Shah highlighted the impressive growth of the Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank during the inauguration. The bank started operations in 1969 with a modest capital of just Rs 2.5 lakh. Today, it conducts an annual business of over Rs 215 crore.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1959 (registered), 1969 (started operations) |
| Total deposits | Rs 135 crore |
| Total loans disbursed | Rs 780 crore |
| Profit earned | Rs 24 crore |
| Gross NPA | Zero |
| Number of branches | 40 |
| Service cooperative societies linked | 431 |
| Milk producers’ societies linked | 652 |
| Dairy unions associated | 6 |
| Total cooperative members served | Over 1.5 lakh |
| Lending to agriculture and allied sectors | 97% |
The bank’s zero gross Non-Performing Asset (NPA) status is a significant achievement, reflecting efficient loan management and strong cooperative governance. Nearly 97% of its total lending has been directed exclusively to agriculture and allied sectors, underscoring its focused role in supporting the rural economy.
Key Takeaways
- Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated Sahakar Bhavan, the new headquarters of the Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank, on July 28, 2026.
- The building was constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore on 25,000 sq ft of land with 47,000 sq ft of built-up space.
- A 200 kW solar power plant installed on the premises makes it a green building.
- The Jamnagar District Cooperative Bank, a District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB), started operations in 1969 with a capital of just Rs 2.5 lakh and today has a business turnover of over Rs 215 crore.
- The bank has zero gross NPA, deposits of Rs 135 crore, and has disbursed Rs 780 crore in loans.
- The Ministry of Cooperation was established on July 6, 2021, with the vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Cooperation).
- India’s rural cooperative credit system follows a three-tier structure: PACS at the village level, DCCBs at the district level, and State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) at the state level.
